In his State of the State address Tuesday night, Gov. Paul LePage announced the launching of a new Web site that provides public access to government finances.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Mainers can get a closer look at how their taxes are being spent.

In his State of the State address Tuesday night, Gov. Paul LePage announced the launching of a new Web site that provides public access to government finances. LePage said the Maine Open Checkbook appears as government becomes more transparent.

The new Web site is getting praise from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.

The PIRG Education Fund's senior tax and budget analyst, Phineas Baxandall, says Maine is joining the ranks of states that disclose information about government spending. PIRG calls it an impressive first step to open up the state's checkbook and that Mainers now have an important new tool to hold their government accountable.